Darren Anderton says he could understand if Eric Dier wanted to leave Tottenham.
Former Tottenham Hotspur hero Darren Anderton has said he understands if Eric Dier wanted to quit the club this summer.
Tottenham blocked Dier’s potential move to Manchester United this summer as they were determined to keep the nucleus of their side together.
Anderton believes Dier would have been within his rights to seek a transfer, having been discarded by Mauricio Pochettino as first choice defensive midfielder 12 months earlier.
Speaking to sportingbet.com, Anderton said Victor Wanyama’s arrival was a ‘kick in the teeth’ for Dier.
He said: “He won’t kick up a fuss, but if he can go and be a regular in another team you couldn’t blame him for leaving – no matter how much he loves the club.
“He had a fantastic year before Victor Wanyama came in, so I thought the signing of Wanyama was harsh.
“As a player if you have a great year, you should be rewarded for that but Pochettino went out and bought Wanyama, which he probably sees as a bit of a kick in the teeth.
“Dier has got on with it though, which has meant he has been used as more of a utility player, which isn’t great for his career.”
Wanyama’s arrival has certainly presented a challenge for Dier, but he would have to accept that sooner or later he would get top competition for his place at any big club.
Learning how to rise to the challenge and improve himself as a player is a harder route than quitting the club, but Dier and Spurs committed to each other with a new contract last year, and for the next 12 months at least, he must knuckle down and try to force his way back in as a regular starter.
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